Basket-making machinery.



No. 690,322. Patentad DacpBl, I90l.

0. MEBGENTHALER, Decd. SAFE DEPOSIT & TRUST 00. 0F BALTIL, AND A. GREENLEAF, Exacutors.

BASKET MAKING MACHINERY.

(Application filed-June 2a, 1901.

ll Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

aiw mw SAFE DEPOSIT AND TRUST C0" OF BALTO., AND ABNER GREENLEAF- M Executors 6r 011mm MERGEN'HIALER. Dec'd- INVENTOR: by their attorneys,

No. 690,322.- Patented Dec. 3|, l90l. 0. MERGENTHALER,,Decd.,

SAFE DEPOSIT & TBUST CD. 0F BALTIL, AND A. GREENLEAF, Execuiors. BASKET MAKING MACHINERY.

(Application filed. June 26, 1901.)

' ll Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

I 7 I J SAFE DEPOSIT AND TRUST (10-, 0F BALTD.,

AND ABNER GREENLEAI-H Executors 0f OTTMAR MERGENTIIALER Decd. INVENTOR:

by their attorneis;

m: NORRIS Pzrzas co. PHOTOLITNO" wAsHmomu, u. c,

No. 690,322. Patented Dec. 3|, l90l.

0. MERGENTHALER, Decd. SAFE DEPOSIT & TRUST 00. 0F BALTO., MID A. GREENLEAF, Exacutors. BASKET MAKING.MAZll-HNERY.

(Application filed June 26, 1901.)

ll Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

SAFE DEPOSIT AND TRUST C0 OF BALTLL,

AND ABNER GREENLEAF, Executors bf OTTMAR MERGENTHALER, Dec'd. INVENTORL by flltll' attorneys.

1n: uonms PETERS w wom-uwq. wAsMmafhu. n. c,

No. 690,322. Patented Dec. 3|, |90L 0. MERGENTHALER, Decd.

SAFE DEPOSIT 8 TRUST 00. 0F BALTO., AND A.. GREENLEAF, Executors.

BASKET MAKING MACHINERY.

A lication filed June 26, 1901.

,TEHIII SAFE DEPOSIT AND TRUST C0 OF BALTQ, AND ABNER GREENLEAF, Executors 0f OTTMAR MERGENTNALER, Dec'd- INVENTOR;

No. 690,322. Patented Dec. 3|, [90L 0. MERGENTHALER, Decd. SAFE DEPOSIT & TRUST co. 0F BALTCL, AND A. GREENLEAF, Executors.

BASKET MAKING MACHINERY.

(Application filed June 26, 1901.)

ll Sheats$heet 5.

(No Model.)

I I I I I I I I I I I I l/ll/llllIll/llIIIlIIlIlI/Il/IIIII AND ABNER GREENLEAF,

Executors of QTTMAR MERGENTHALER, DCCdI INVENTOIS;

by their ttorneys.

Tm: mums PEYERS ca. PHOTO-LITHQ. WASHINGTON u c Patented Dec. 3|, 190i.

0. MERGENTHALER, Decd. SAFE DEPOSIT & TRUST co. 0F BALTO., AND A. GREENLEAF, Executors. BASKET MAKING MACHINERY.

(Applicatiomfiled June 26, 1901.)

(No Model.) ll Shook-Sheet 6.

AND ABNER OREENtEAF, Executors of OTTMAR MERGENTHALER, Decd. INVENTOR;

by their attorneys m: mums versus an Pnolouma, wAsHlNr-YON. a c.

No. 690,322. Patented Dec. 3|, 19m.

0. MEBGENTHALEB, Dec-"d.

SAFE DEPOSIT & TRUST 00. 0F BALTO., AND A. GREENLE'AF, Execuiors.

BASKET MAKING MACHINERY,

(Application filed June 26, 1901.)

(No Model.)

I SAFE DEPOSIT Ann "musr co-, or 134110.,

AND ABNER GREENLEAF, Executors of ommm MERGENTHALER, new mvamon:

by their attorneys.

No. 690,322. Patented Dec. 3|, IBM. 0. MERGENTHALER, Decd.

SAFE DEPOSIT &'TRUST 00. or BALTEL, AND A. GREENLEAF, Executors.

BASKET MAKING MACHINERY.

' (Application fllqd June 26, 1901.

ll Sheets-Sheet 8.

(No Model.)

SAFE DEPOSIT AND TRUST CO OF 'BALTO.,

AND ABNER GREENLEAF Executor's 0f OTTMAR MERGENTHALER: DEC'd INVENTORZ by margins,

TM]; ubnms PEIERS ca. morn-Lune WASMWGTON. a. c.

.- No. 690,322. I Patented m. 3|, 19m,

, 0. MEBGENTHALER, Decd.

SAFE DEP DSIT &. TRUST 60. OF BALTO., AND A. GREENLEAF, Executors. BASKET MAKING MACHINERY.

' (Application filed June 26, 1901.

flfiillllllfllfiiillllliilllllllllllllllllllll!mlllllllllllllllllllllllllllil um il-nfllllllllllll-lllllH|HIIIIIIIIH a I!Wmill|gull!"IlllllllllllllllllllllllllIlllllllllllllmllllllllllilllmlllIIIHII I l rlmlifir-llmi' 'l'i'l-llllllllHIIVIFIIIII III SAFE DEPOSIT AND TRUST CO-v OF BALTIL,

AND Aswan GREENLEAF, Executors of OTTMAR MERGENTRALERI Decd mvEuTp'R: v by their ttorneys.

"m: NORRIS sevens c9 monulwou WASHINGTON. 04 c.

Patented Dec. 3|, l90l.

0. MEBGENIHALER, Decd. SAFE DEPOSIT & TRUST 00. 0F BA |.T0., AND A. GREENLEAF, Executors.

BASKET MAKING MACHINERY.

(Application filed June 26, 1901.)

|| Shets Sheet In.

(No mm r.)

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W O T M. B F U m T 5 U .R T D N A H s 0 P E D E F A S 'AND ABNER GREENLEAF' EXGBMOIS of OTTMAR MEMENTHALERI Dew, INVENTOR;

by their attorneys.

J'HE uonms FEYER: ca. Moro-um WASNINGTON. n. c.

' No. 690,322. Patented Dec. 3|, i901.

o. MERGENTHALEH, Decd.

SAFE DEPOSIT & TRUST 00. DF BALTIL, AND A. GREENLEAF, Executors. BASKET-MAKING MACHINERY.

(Applica tion filed. June 26, 1901.) (No Model.) ll Sheets-Sheet ll.

SAFE DEPOSIT AND TRUST C0 05 BAL'I'O. 7 AND ABNER GREENLEAF,

Executors 0f OTTMAR MERGENTHALEE DCCtL INVENTOR:

by thei attorneys,

TN: mums Pmnq 60.. vuofournm. WASHINGTON. n. c,

, UNITED STATES P TENT OFF CE.

SAFE DEPOSIT & TRUST CO. OF BALTO. AND ABNER GREENLEAF, OF BAL- TIMORE, MARYLAND, EXEOUTORS OF OTTMAR MERGENTHALER,DE- CEASED, ASSIGNORS TO HORTON BASKET MACHINE COMPANY, OF NEV YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF WEST VIRGINIA.

.BASKET-MAKING MACHINERY.

- fiSE-EGILEliQATIGN forming part of Letters Patent No. 690,322, dated December 31, 1 901. Application filed June 26,1901. Serial No. 66,117. (No model.)

To all whont it may concern:

Be it known that OTTMAR MERGENTHALER, now deceased, formerly a citizen of theUnited States, and a resident of the city of Balti- 5 more, Maryland, did invent certain new and useful Improvements in Basket-Making Machinery, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates particularly to the class of basket-making machines which construct baskets by assembling wooden bottom pieces, veneer side pieces, and wooden bands about a form and securing them together by staples to produce an oblong basket with a 5 single band around its lower end and inside and outside bands at its upper end. This basket is known to the trade as the Climax grape-basket. Letters Patent of the United States No. 530,048, granted to Emmet Horton November 27, 1894, show the first automatic machine for making baskets of this kind. The present invention constitutes improvements on'the machine shown in that patent.

The objects of the present invention are mainly to simplify the construction of the mechanism for assembling the bottom, sides, and bands around the form and for securing them together and at the same time to render the mechanism more reliable in action and 0 capable of moving at a higher speed with less jar and fewer errors.

The first part of the invention relates to the mechanism for feeding the basket-bottoms. In the Horton machine the bottoms are held in a pile in a magazine, from which they are carried to the form bya crane provided with gripping-jaws, which take the bottoms one at a time from the pile, swing them around to the form, and deliver them thereto. By the present invention the same result is effected by arranging the bottoms in a magazine across the lower end of which reciprocates a slide which delivers the bottoms one at a 7 time to a narrow chamber that holds them vertically in line with the end of the form, 5 which is arranged on a horizontal axis. The

upper end of a feed-lever provided with clamping devices reciprocates through the narrow chamber and moves each basket-bottom into position in front of the form,where it is taken by another lever moving at right angles to the feed-lever and pressed against the end of the form and held there during the construction-of the basket. This mechanism for feeding the bottoms has no delicately-constructed devices, the parts are few in number, and the liability of their getting out of order or failing to operate is extremely remote.

The next. part of the invention relates to the mechanism for feeding the sides. In the I-Iorton machine the sides are fedlto the form by a system of levers,-one part of which lifts the sides one at a time from a pile and delivers them to guides which present them to other levers that carry them to the form. In the machine constructed in accordance with the present invention the sides are fed from their magazine by a slide to a pocket in line with another slide which moves them onto a table from which they pass to the form. The slide which feeds the sides to the form also feeds the bands thereto, as will be hereinafter explained. It is sometimes desirable that the sides be made to slightly overlap in the completed basket, and devices are employed in the present invention for causing the side pieces to overlap while they are being secured together.

The next part of the invention relates to the band-feeding mechanism. In the ma- 8o chine illustrated in I-Iortons patent above mentioned there are two independent mechanisms for feeding the upper and lower bands. The upper bands are fed from a single pile, and a separator is employed for separating the band for the inside of the basket from the 1 band for the outside thereof before the bands are fed to the form, which is done by a system of levers, plungers, and guides. In the present machine the bands are held in stacks in separate compartments ofa magazine,from which they are delivered laterally to a slide which transfers them to guides from which they are taken by. another slide which reciprocates toward and from the form and feeds 5 the bands thereto. As the bands are fed for:

ward a side piece is taken up by the slide, which delivers it with the bands to the form.

Enough side pieces are fed to the form by thev slide for completing a basket without feeding the hands by the slide, as the bands are drawn forward without being actuated by the slide after the first side piece has been secured to the bands.

The staples in the present improved machine are, as in the Horton machine, preferably made from continuous lengths of wire and driven into the stock immediately after being formed. In the Horton machine the form stops each time that a staple is driven, while in the present improved machine the stapling mechanism moves with the form during the operation of driving a staple, and thus considerable speed is gained in constructing the basket.

The machine contains, in addition to the features above named, many novel organizations of mechanism and details of construction, which shall be hereinafter fully described.

There are no mutilated gears in this machine, the Working parts thereof for the most part being driven by cams on a single camshaft, which actuates levers connected by rods with the parts to be operated. Some few parts, however, are actuated by spur-wheels or by ratchet mechanism which is so constructed and operated as to work smoothly and without material interruption.

The accompanying drawings show a hasket-making machine embodying the present improvements in what is believed to be the best and most efficient form. Some parts of the mechanism may be employed without others or in machines different in other respects from that herein described. While the machine is designed to be entirely automatic, yet the inventionis not limited to a machine automatic in all respects, as many parts of the mechanism are novel in themselves and might be used in semi-automatic machines or those operated partly by hand.

. The novel subject-matter will be distinctly set forth in the claims.

Figure 1 shows a front elevation of the machine. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the basket formed by the machine. Fig. 2 shows an elevation of the right-hand side of the machine. Fig. 3 shows a plan view. The remaining figures are on a somewhatenlarged scale. Fig. 4 is a detail view showing particularly the mechanism for operating the form. Fig. 5 is a detail view showing particularly the mechanism for operating the form and the ejector with part of its connections. Fig. 6 shows a plan view of the form, the table for adjusting the side pieces while being delivered to the form, and the pressurelever which holds the bottom pieces against the form. Fig. (3 is a detail view showing how the form is supported and guided. Fig. 6 is a detail view of some of the devices for supporting and guiding the form. Fig. 7 is a perspective View of the adjusting-table. Fig. Sis a detail view showing particularly the mechanism for delivering the bottom pieces from their magazine. Fig. 9 is a detail view in section on the line 9 9 of Fig. 10 of the feed mechanism which delivers the bottom pieces to the form. Fig. 10 is a detail view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of this mechanism. Fig. 11 is a similar view showing the parts in a different position. Fig. 12 is a detail view, partly in elevation and partly in section on the line 1212 of Fig. 3, of part of the mechanism for delivering the side pieces from their magazine. Fig. 12 shows a section on the line m m of Fig. 13. Fig. 13 shows a section on the line 13 13 of Fig. 12. Fig. 14 is a detailed view showing particularly themechanism for delivering the bands and sides from their magazines to the form, the bands-compartment and bands nearest the observer being omitted and some other parts of the mechanism being omitted to better illustrate other parts. Figs. 15 and 16 are detail views of part of the band-feeding devices. Fig. 17 is a detail view in section of the guides for the bands and the table which adjusts the side pieces on the form. Fig. 18 is another view in elevation of the band-feeding mechanism. Fig. 19 shows a transverse section of the band-feeding mechanism. on the line 19 19 of Fig. 14. Fig. 20 is a similar view on the line 20 20 of Fig. 14. Fig. 20 is a detail view of the band-feeding mechanism. Figs. 21 and 22 are detail views of the band-shifting mechanism which moves the bands laterally from their compartments into engagement with the slide which carries them toward the form. Fig. 23 is a detail view of the nailing mechanism, showing clearly how the cams operate this mechanism. Fig. 24 is a side elevation of the nailing mech anism. Fig. 25 is a plan view thereof, and this figure also shows in plan the cams and their connections for operating the nailing mechanism. Fig. 26 is a detail view in section on the line 26 26 of Fig. 24. Fig. 27 is another detail view of the nailing mechanism and also of the wire-feeding devices. The view is partly in elevation and partly in section on the line 27 27 of Fig. 25. Fig. 28 is another detail view, partly in elevation and partly in section, on the line 28 28 of Fig. 25. Fig. 29 shows a transverse section on the line 29 29 of Fig. 27. Fig. 30 is a diagram view of the main cam-shaft with the cams thereon, and this figure illustrates also the mechanism on the left-hand side of the machine which connects the cams with the parts of the machine which they operate. Fig. 31 shows a front elevation of one of the camdisks with three of the cams thereon, the main spur-wheel being also formed on or secured to this disk. Fig. 32 is a detail view showing some of the cams in vertical section. Fig. 33

is a detail view of the cam which operates the mechanism for delivering the bottoms from their magazine.

Fig. 34 is a front elevation of the cam for operating the slide which moves the bottoms to the form. Fig. 35 is a front elevation of the cam which operates the pressure-lever. Fig. 36 is a rear elevation of the cam which operates the mechanism which shifts the bands sidewise and moves them into engagement with the slide which delivers them to the form. Fig. 37 is an edge view thereof. Fig. 38 is a View of the cam which operates the mechanism to feed the bands and the side pieces to the form. Fig. 39 is a view of the cam for operating part of the bandfeeding mechanism.

The main frame A may be of any suitable construction so long as it is adapted to support the operating parts of the machine or carries brackets or other additional devices for this purpose. To the top of the'main frame near its front and rear ends are secured upright posts B,which are provided with bearings for a horizontal shaft C, which extends from front to rear of the machine and carries the cams and gears for imparting motion from the cam-shaft to the basket-formingmechanism. The camshaft is provided with a spurwheel 0, which meshes with a pinion c on a shaft D, which carries driving-pulleys D. These pulleys are loose on the shaft; but one of them may be connected therewith by means of a clutch D of well-known construction, which is connected, as shown in Fig. 3, with a lever d, to which is jointed a rod D the front end of which is jointed to a-hand-lever D at the front endof the machine within convenient reach of the attendant. By this means the machine may be started and stopped at will.

The form E, about which the basket is constructed, is shaped as shown particularly in Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 6, and it has secured to its inner or larger end an oval plate 6, provided with an oval series of teeth 6, which mesh with a spur-wheel E, secured to a sleeve e loose on the front end of the shaft 0. To the sleeve e is secured a ratchet-wheel E with which engages a pawl E secured to a cam 1 that is rigidly connected with the camshaft C. A spring E secured. to the cam, bears on the end of the pawl and tends to keep it in engagement with the teeth of the ratchetwheel. As the cam rotates, the ratchet-wheel is driven, and consequently the spur-wheel E is revolved; but at one time during the rotation of the cam-shaft the pawl E is disengaged from the ratchet-wheel, and during this time the cam-shaft revolves without imparting motion to the spur-wheel E, and therefore during this time the form is at rest. This stoppage in the motion of the form is produced by means of a lug E secured to the front post B. At the proper time the tail of the pawl E moves into contact with the lug E and the nose cf the pawl is withdrawn from the teeth of the ratchet-wheel E, as shown in Fig. 4. The purpose of this arrangement is to stop the movement of the form while a basket is being ejected and a new bottom piece is being placed in position. The form is provided on its front end with an oval roughened or serrated surface a to prevent the bottom piece from slipping after it is once placed in position. To the front of the form a plate e is preferably secured in order to prevent loose pieces of staple-wire from getting into the mechanism andjammingit. The front of the plate 6 is secured to the form in such manner that it will lie in rear of the front serrated surface thereof. The form is supported by a hollow bar or sleeve F, which extends through the lower end of the front post B, being screw-threaded at its rear end and held in place by a nut F. The front end of the sleeve F is provided with a circular head f, which fits in a recess or depression 6 in the front end of the form and prevents the form from moving sidewise. Between the head f and the end of the huh I) on the post 13 is interposed a square sleeve F This sleeve is square on its exterior, but has a cylindrical bore and is free to rotate on the sleeve F. The sleeve F projects through a rectangular opening in the form, as clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5. As the spur-wheel E revolves, the form is moved horizontally in the direction indicated in Fig. 4:, then turned about one of its ends, then moved horizontally again in the opposite direction, then turned on its opposite end, and so on. The squared shape of the sleeve F holds the form in proper position at all times to be properly operated by the spur-wheel E.

Secured to the rear end of the form, near two diagonally opposite corners, are blocks 6 which are adapted to slide on a rail e projecting forwardly from a plate 6 that is se-..

cured to the main frame. By this construction the form is supported by the rail and held in proper position, especially when it is near the end of one of its movements to the right or leftt'. 6., when the sleeve F is at one of the ends of the rectangular opening in the form. The blocks are, however, so arranged as to permit theform to tilt and turn at the proper times.

e indicates filling-pieces interposed between the form and the plate e and secured to the form. They serve to prevent the form from moving backward toward the plate e.

The ejector B is shown in Fig. 5. It operates through the sleeve F; but the details of its operation will be described later on.

In order to clench the staples and prevent undue wear on the main casting of the form, a series of hardened-steel plates e are employed. These are let into the form at its inner or larger end and are secured thereto in any suitable way. These plates are provided with concave depressions a so shaped as to receive the ends of the staples after they are driven through the sides and bands and turn them so as to properly clench them.

The boards for forming the bottoms of the basket are stored in a magazine G, mounted on the bracket A of the main frame at its vcated in Fig. 8.

front left-hand end. The magazine is constructed of two vertical trough-plates-r resting on the bracket A and open at their top ends, being braced at their upper ends by tierods 9. The bottoms lie flatwise in a vertical pile in the magazine, the lowermost bottom resting on the shelf 9 below it, and just over the shelf the front and rear lower ends of the troughs are cut away to permit a slide H to reciprocate across the shelf and deliver the bottom boards one at a time from the pile through the opening in the lower end of the front trough, which opening is just large enough to allow only one bottom at a time to be delivered through it. This slide is mount ed to reciprocate in guides h, and it delivers the bottoms one at a time to a hopper H, having an inclined front wall which directs the bottoms into a narrow vertical chamber H in which the bottoms lie vertically, as indi- The slide H is connected by a link'h with a lever 71 secured to a rockshaft 71, (see Fig. 1,) mounted in suitable bearing-brackets and carrying an arm h, connected by a rod 72 with a lever 7L operated by the cam I on the main cam-shaft 0. (See Fig. 3.) The slide is so operated as to feed the bottoms one at a time and at proper intervals to the chamber H, from which they are fed to the form by the mechanism shown particularly in Figs. 9, 10, and 11.

The bottom of the chamber H is provided with a slotted opening, in which reciprocates a slide-bar J Secured to the top of this slide is a plate J L-shaped in cross-section, as indicated in Fig.9. shaft j, Fig. 1, mounted in bearings at the .lower end of the main frame, extends upwardly througha vertical opening 3' in the slide-bar J and through an opening in the plate J To the upper end of this lever is secured a curved plate or shoe j, adapted to engage with one end of the bottom piece delivered to the chamber H in the manner indicated in Fig. 11. On the right-hand end of the slide-bar J 2 is secured a hanger j, to which is pivoted an upwardly-projecting arm 7' carryinga shoe 3', adapted to engage the opposite or right-hand end of the bottom piece. The arm 7' is drawn toward the bottom piece by a springj while a springj connects the lever J with the slide J. The plate J is so shaped, as indicated in Fig. 10, that the bottom board is held vertically and prevented from falling out forwardly, but the plate is terminated or cut away to allow the pressurelever to operate, as hereinafter described. The mechanism shown in Figs. 10 and 11 constitutes what may be called a clamp, which grasps the bottom piece and feeds it from the chamber H to its position in front of the form. Fig. 10 shows the position which the parts occupy when a bottom piece is fed down into the chamber H When the lever J is moved to the right, the bottom piece is moved endwise against the shoe j, and the spring 7' is put under tension in the manner indi- A lever J, secured to a cated in Fig. 11. This figure indicates the position which the parts occupy when the pressure-lever operates to press the bottom against the end of the form. The shaft j carries an arm j connected by means of a rod j with a rocking lever j, which engages a cam I, Fig. 3, on the camshaft C. It should be here stated that the lever J is pulled in one direction byaspringf. (Shown in Fig. 1.) The cam 1 moves the lever J backward, while the springj draws the lever forward to feed the bottom piece to the form in the manner indicated in Fig. 1. In like manner the lever h is drawn in. one direction by a spring 71 (not shown, but applied in any suitable'way,) while moved in the opposite direction by the cam I.

As before stated, the bottom pieces are fed into position in front of the form, where they are pressed against the end of the form by a pressure-lever. This pressure-lever K is provided on its right-hand end in front of the form with a disk It, carried by a short shaft It, arranged to turn in hearings in a sleeve pivoted on the bifurcated end of the lever K. The disk bears against the basket-bottom and is free to turn as the basket turns while being constructed. A collar It is secured to the outer end of the shaft 70 to hold the disk 70 and the shaft in proper position. Themovement of the sleeve relatively'to the lever K is limited by means of the devices indicated in Fig.6. As there shown, thelever is provided with two lugs 7.2,whilea pin k is secured to the sleeve. The sleeve is connected with the lever K by means ofa spiral spring 70 By this means the disk is is permitted to have a slight angular movement relatively to the end of the form, which is sufficient to allow the disk to adjust itself to the bottom when the lever K is operated to press the bottom against the form. The left-hand end of the lever K is secured to a vertical shaft K mounted in bearings on the front left-hand end of'the main frame, as indicated in Fig. 1. An arm K is secured to the end of the shaft K and to the right-hand end of this arm is jointed a rod 10 which is connected, through the medium of the yielding device K, to the lower end of the oscillating lever K the upper end of which engages a disk I havinga cam-groove 1 The yielding device K Fig. 30, consists of a casing 70 which is provided with a rearwardly-projecting arm k jointed to the lower end of the lever K The rod 71: extends into the casing k and has secured to its inner end a disk 7c. The front end of the casing is closed by a disk is, which has a central opening to permit the rod 70 to pass freely through it. Between the disks 70 and 70 is interposed a spiral spring 70 Thus a yielding connection is provided between the arm K and the lever K". To the lower end of the shaft K is also secured an arm K to which is attached a spring K secured at its opposite end to the main frame. So long as the upper end of the lever K rests against the flange of the disk I the disk It on the pressure-lever is held firmly against the bottom piece of the basket during the formation of the basket; but as soon as the basket is finished the upper end of the lever K, which preferably carries a roller, as shown, enters the cam-notch 1 being drawn into this notch by the spring K At the same time the pressure-lever swings away from the completed basket and allows the ejector to remove the basket from the form. Then the end of the lever K rides out of the cam-notch 1 the pressure-lever is made to move forward toward the form and press a bottom piece into engagement therewith. The yielding device K adapts the mechanism to bottoms of varying thickne'sses,as it will be seen that when the pressure-lever is moved toward the form the strain is applied through the spring k ,which is a heavy stiff spring holding the bottom against the form firmly at all times, but yielding when necessary to accommodate an unusually thick piece of material.

The bottoms are fed to the form while the latter is in a horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 1, with its right-hand end under the nailing mechanism.

The side pieces and bandsare next fed from their magazines to the form. The sides Y are stacked in a magazine L, arranged on the right-hand side of the machine,near the front thereof and above the form. Brackets A secured to the main frame, support the magazine, as shownin Figs. 12, 12, and 13. The tops of the brackets are inclined downwardly to the left and also forwardly and the magazine L is correspondingly inclined. It is preferably provided with verticallyarranged trough-plates Z, which are secured at their lower ends to the brackets A and have a vertical space between them, as indicated in Figs. 13 and 14:. The trough-plates are also cut awayat Z between their upper and lower ends in order that side pieces may be supplied to the magazine when desired. The lowermost side piece rests on curved rails Z while weights Z", with curved or convex lower ends, rest on the top side piece of the pile directly over the rails. The weights are mounted to slide vertically in guides in the trough-plates l, and they are suspended by cords or chains from pulleys Z mounted on the crank-shaft Z, by means of which the weights may be raised at any timeas, for instance, when it is necessary to supply more side pieces to the magazine. The movement of the crank-arm L is limited by a stop 1 which allows the weights to descend low enough to act on the last side piece. The result of this arrangement is to straighten out the sides should they tend to buckle, which is very often the case, and as the means for straightening out the sides is applied to the edges of the sides the weight of the pile is confined in some degree to the edges of the sides instead of being distributed throughout their entire surface. The lower ends of the trough-plates Z are cut away to allow the slide L to reciprocate and to allow only one side piece at a time to be delivered from the magazine.

The side pieces are delivered one at a time from the magazine by means of a sliding plate L mounted in guides Z on the brackets A and connected by means of a link Z with an oscillating lever L secured to the sleeve L loose on the shaft 77, and provided with an arm L connected by a rod Z with a lever L, operated in onedirection by a cant I on the cam-shaft (J. It is operated in the opposite direction by a spring L attached to the main frame and to an arm Z projecting downwardly from the sleeve L (See Fig. 2.)

The shape of the slide L in cross-section is shown in Fig. 13. .The edges of the slide rest on the rails 1 and these edges are arranged slightly above the main body of the slide, which portion of the slide is depressed below the top surfaces of the rails. The result of this arrangement is to cause the slide L to engage the bottom side piece at its opposite edges only, and thus apply the force necessary to move the bottom side piece from the magazine at those points which bear the greatest weight and where there is apt to be the greatest tendency for the sides to lie regularlv.

The side pieces are delivered by the slide L from the magazine to the pocket L mounted on abracketL secured to the main frame. A guard L prevents the sides from rising in passing from the magazine to the pocket L This pocket is arranged onthe left-hand end of a casting U, which guides the slide M, that feeds the side pieces, and also the bands to the form. The pocket has a top plate Z secured by a spring-catch Z to the casting L at its front end. The rear under face of the top plate is flared at Z to guide the side pieces Y into the pocket, and beneath this lid thereis a guide-plate Z suitably shaped to receive the side pieces from the nfagazine. Within the pocket and at the front end thereof there is. a supporting-plate Z to receive the front end of the side piece when it is moved to its full extentforward. After the side piece is delivered to the pocket in the manner illustrated in Fig. 12 it is fed to the form by means of the slide M, the construction and operation of which will be hereinafter described.

Before passing to the form the side pieces pass to a table N. (Shown in detail in Figs. 7 and 17.) This table is provided with guides 11 to receive the side pieces. Vhen the table is in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 6, it receives a side piece. When the table delivers a side piece to form one of the curved ends of a basket, the table is shifted to the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 6. When itdelivers a piece'to form a part of the side of the basket, it is shifted to a less extent. By this means the side pieces are made to properly aline with the top and bottom of the basket. The table is carried by an updicated, for instance, in Figs. 19 and 20.

right bar N, the lower end of which is bent, as shown in Fig. 1, and provided with asleeve 91*, mounted to turn with a shaft n, which has a general vertical direction, but is slightly inclined, as shown in Fig. l. The sleeve n is provided with an arm a connected by a rod n with a lever N Fig. 2, operated by a .cam I on the cam-shaft G. The arrangement is such as to hold the table in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 6 while side pieces are being fed, but to incline it when the side pieces are being fed to the form. The bar N is moved in one direction by the cam I and in the other direction by a spring. 11 connected with the main frame and also connected by means of a rod n with an arm a, projecting from the sleeve M. The table is provided, Fig. 6, with a pivoted finger a, pressed bya spring n This finger is adapted to bear against one side edge of a side piece and press it into the opposite guide 11 in the plate. By this arrangement the guides are sufficiently open to permit the easy entrance of a side piece, while the spring-finger insures that the side piece shall be held in the table in correct position to be delivered properly to the form. It also readily yields when a side piece is being delivered from the table to the form.

The bands Z Z Z are stored in separate compartments in a magazine 0. This maga-.

zine is mounted on the casting L in which is formed the guide for the slide M,and this casting is in turn mounted on the bracket L supported 0n the main frame. The magazine is provided with three compartments 0 0 0 and each of the compartments is formed in separate castings,secured to the casting L as in- The upper bands are arranged in vertical piles in the compartments 0 and 0. At their lower ends the piles of bands rest on band-shifters 0 which are adapted to slide transversely of the compartments in guides beneath them. Only the front ends of the bands are arranged in these compartments. Their outer or rear ends may be supported on any suitable frame. (Not shown in the drawings.) The ends of the lower bands project some what beyond the two pilesof upper bandsas indicated, for instance, in Fig. 18, where it will be seen that the compartmento is arranged slightly in advance of or to the left of thecompartmentsoo. Thereisasinglebandshifter O for each pile of bands. Each of them is provided with a shoulder 0 which is adapted to impinge against the lowermost band in one of the compartments 0 or 0 or the uppermost band in the compartment 0 The surfaces of the band shifters O are curved,so that the bands will bearon asurface of small extent, and they are hollowed, as shown at 0? in Fig. 22, to provide for lateral irregularitiesin the bands. Some bands are straight and flat, while others are slightly curved, as indicated in Fig. 22. The construction of the band-shifters adapts them to bands of varying shapes. The inner sides of the compartments are cut away, as shown, to allow the bands to pass one at a time from the compartments when moved by the bandshifters.

The bandshifter for theban ds Z is connect ed to a lever P, which is in turn connected to a rock-shaft P, mounted in-bearings in hangers P The band-shifter for the bands Z is connected to a lever P secured to a rockshaft P provided with an arm P connected by a rod P with the lever P. The band-shifter for the bands Z" is connected by a lever P with the rock-shaft P as indicated in Fig. This shaft carries an arm p to'which is jointed a rod 19 connected with a leverp 011 a shaft p ,which carries a lever P operated in one direction by a cam-groove 1 in the cam-disk I on the shaft C. The lever P is operated in the opposite direction by a spring 10 (See Fig.2 By this means the bandshifters are operated to deliver the bands laterally from their compartments. Bars 0 rest on top of the piles Z Z to hold their inner ends in place. These bars are provided with curved ends 0 which rest on the bands Z Z just over the curved recesses in the shifters, and a bar 0 corresponding in shape to the bars 0 is arranged beneath and supports the pile of bands Z Each of the bars 0 and O is pivoted at one end and is also drawn toward the corresponding pile of hands by a spring 0 in the manner indicated in Fig. 18. The inner ends of the bands when supplied to the machine abut against'the ends of the compartments and are delivered therefrom laterally through the spaces 0, as indicated in Figs. 19 and 20. The bars 0 O are provided with handles 0 at their outer ends, by means of which they may be lifted when the machine is being supplied with additional bands. 1 As the bands sometimes vary in width, it is desirable to provide yielding connections for the shifters, so that while the bands may be fed laterally to the proper extent at ,each operation they shall not be crushed. For this purpose each of the levers P P P is bifurcated at its upper end, as indicated in Fig. 22, and connected with the shifterby means of a pin 19*", which enters this bifurcation. Each of the levers has secured to it a spring 19', which bears on the end of theband-shifter. The effect of this construction will be readily understood. A limited amount of movement of the lever relatively to the shifter is permitted. When the lever operates to move the shifter inwardly, it does so positively and without yielding when the bands-are of normal width, but when an unusually-wide band is encountered the spring 19 yields during the inward movement of the lever, and thus while the band is properly placed in the holding devices of the transfer-slide M it is not crushed. or in anyway injured while thus being'inserted.

The upper bands are directed to the form by guides Q, which are preferably tubular, as shown in cross-section in Fig. 17, while I go the lower bands are directed td the form by a tubular guide (1 These guides extend to the form adjacent to the nailing mechanism,.

as indicated in Fig. lat. \Vhen the bands are first moved toward the form, they are grasped by springs g at the mouth of the guides.

The table N is cut away at n to receive the slide M at the end of its forward stroke, the slide being operated to feed the bands and the side pieces in such manner that they shall be delivered below the nailing mechanism in position for nailing.

For the purpose of conveying the bands from their magazine to the form two slides ill and M are employed. The slide M which is termed the transfer-slide, receives the bands as they are delivered from their compartments by the band-shifters and transfers them to the guides Q, from which they are taken by the slide M, which latter slide conveys the bands to the form. Both slides M and M are mounted to reciprocate in guides in the casting L The slide M is provided with a downwardly-projecting lug m which is connected by a link m with a lever M secured to the front end of a rockshaft M which is mounted in hearings in brackets m projecting from the right-hand side of the machine. To the opposite or rear end of the rock-shaft M is secured an arm M which is connected by means of a link 002. with the one end of a rocking bell-crank lever M mounted in bearings in a bracket 'm at the real-end of the machine. This rocking lever carries a roller m, engaging a cam 1 secured to the rear end of the shaft 0. This cam acts to move the slide M toward the magazine. The slide is moved in the opposite direction by a spring on, which connects the lever M with the frame of the machine in the manner shown in Fig. 1.

The slide M is provided witha downwardlyprojecting lug m, connected by a link m with a lever M, secured to a sleeve M surrounding the rock-shaft M and adapted to move independently thereof. A spring 'm draws the lever M in one direction. From the sleeve M projects an arm M which is connected by a rod M with the lower end of a lever M pivoted to the frame and having at its upper end a roller m bearing against a cam 1 on the cam-shaft. This cam is constructed to so operate the lever M as to retract the slide M. The slide is advanced by the spring m above referred to. The cam I is so formed that six consecutive movements are given to the slide M. Each movement of the slide M feeds a side-piece. The slide M is provided at its. inner end with a projection m which is adapted to abut against a side piece heldin the pocket L and to transfer it therefrom to the table N, the table being cut away at n to enable the projection of the slide to enter in order that the side piece may be properly fed to the form.

The slide M is formed with two upwardlyextending arms m provided with bearings hich projects from a sleeve m secured to the shaft m and to this arm is connected a link m which in turn is connected to an arm on, secured to a small shaft m mounted in bearings on the slide, asindicated in Figs.

14, 15, and 16. The collars m are provided with two down wardly-extending dogs m and the shaft 171 is provided with a downwardlyextending dog m". These dogs are adapted to engage with theupper and lower bands and hold them firmly while they are being fed toward the main slide M. Pins on project laterally from the slide M and the bands are delivered by the shifters 0 above the pins m in the manner indicated in Fig. 15, and the dogs at press against the bands above the pins. A similar pin m projects from the slide below the dog at for a similar purpose. One of the sleeves W1 is provided with two notches m m in which a spring I M, secured to the slide, is adapted to bear, the arrangement being such that the spring will hold the dogs in either of two positions until they are moved positively out of these positions. A similar spring m is adapted to bear in corresponding notches in the hub or sleeve to which the dog m is connected. The pins m are adapted to engage with pins 1", projecting inwardly from the inner sides of the compartments 0 0', and also with pins r projecting inwardly from brackets R, that are attached to the casting L. When the slide M moves to the right, as seen in Fig. 14:, the pins m will strike against the pins 1'. This will cause the dogs m on" to move into the position shown in Fig. 15, so as to grasp near their forward ends the bands which have been moved laterally into position beneath the dogs by the band-shifters. The slide M next moves forward or toward the slide M. As the slide M completes its movement to the left the pins m will strike the pins r on the brackets R thus causing the dogs m m" to be raised out of engagement with the bands, which are then held in place by springs at the mouth of the guides.

The slide M is equipped with devices similar to those shown in Figs. 15 and 16 for grasping the bands; but, as will be observed by reference to Fig. 20 the dogs m and m" are adapted to extend through slotted openings in the guides Q (1 The pins m m are also provided with lugs m which project through slots in the guides Q The organization is such that the transfer-slide M receives the bands and feeds them to the slide M. The slide M carries the bands to the form. The pins m on the slide M are operated by pins 1" TX, projecting from the brackets R, the operation being similar to that described in connection with the slide M The construction of the cam for operating the slide M is shown in Fig. 39. The construction of the cam for operating the slide M is shown in Fig. 38. Assuming that the slide M is at the limit of its stroke to the right, it will then be in position to receive bands from the magazine. The devices before described on the slide will take hold of the forward ends of the bands. The slide M is then advanced and presents the ends of the bands to the tubular guides Q in the manner indicated in Fig. 14:. Then the slide M retreats or moves to the right and takes a new hold on the bands and in the next forward movement feeds the bands forward or to the left to a greater extent. The slide M (when in the position shown in Fig. 14) grips the bands (by means of the devices before described) and feeds the bands toward the form with the last side piece of the basket just being completed. Then the slide M retreats or moves to the right and takes a new hold on the hands. This time the front ends of the bands will project from the front of the slide M. Then the slide M moves forward again or toward the form, carrying the bands with it and also carrying the first side piece of the new basket. At the end of this forward movement the nailing devices operate to secure the bands to the first side piece. After this the slide M is reciprocated back and forth to feed additional side pieces without feeding bands, the slide M at this time being at rest. The function of the slide M is to take the bands from the magazine and transfer them to the slide M, which latter carries the bands to the form. ..This enables the slide M to make shorter strokes than it would if it moved all the way from the magazine to the form.

It is desirable that the side pieces of the basket should overlap each other along their vertical edges. Forthis purpose what is called a tucker is employed. It consists ofa plate W, (see Figs. 1, 23, and 24,) adapted to project below the rear or right-hand edge of a side piece and hold it up while a succeeding side piece is being fed forward. The plate is pivoted at w to a lever W, pivoted at w to a hanger h, which carries the nailing mechanism. The plate W normally rests on the table N, its left-hand or forward end being held against the table by a spring 20 arranged and attached as clearly shown in the drawings. A con necting-bar n1 jointed to the upper end of the lever W, is connected at its opposite or right-hand end to the upper end of a bell-crank lever W (see Fig. 1,) rocking on a pin 10 The opposite end of the bellcrank lever projects into the path of the slide M. In the operation of the machine as the slide M moves forward to feed the side pieces it strikes the lower right-hand end of the bellcrank lever, causing it to rock, and through the connecting-rod 10 the lever WV is caused to swing toward the mailer-head. The plate W will thus be made to pass beneath the side piece previously fed and raise it slightly,wh ile the advancing side piece will be directly beneath the plate, thus causing the sides to lap.

On the return ofthe slide M the lever V is d rawn to its normal position by a spring V7 In this machine wire staples are used for securing the partsofthebaskettogether. The staples are formed from continuous lengths of wire fed from spools S S, mounted on a bracket S secured to the bottoms-magazine G. The wire is fed to feed-rolls S S S, and S The feed-rolls S and S? are properly connected with a shaft T, mounted in bearings on a bracket T, attached to thenailerhead V. The feed-rolls S and S are much smaller than the rolls S and S and they are carried by levers T the lower ends of which are pivoted at t to the bracket T, and the upper ends are connected by means of springs T to a bracket T bolted to the bottomsmagazine G. The feed-wheels are allgrooved in the manner indicated in Fig. 27, and the wheels S and S are geared together, while the wheels S and S are similarly geared, as indicated in Figs. 24 and 25. The wires for the staples pass down between the wheels, as indicated, for instance, in Fig. 27. On the shaft T is secured a ratchet-wheel T with which engages a pawl T carried by a bellcrank rocking lever T loose on the shaft T, and to which is connected a link T jointed to an arm T on a rock-shaft T The rockshaft is provided with an arm T carrying a roller i, engaging a cam I on the cam-shaft C. The cam operates the arm T in one direction. It is moved in the opposite direction by a spring T attached to the arm and to the main frame. (See Fig. 23.) By this arrangement the feed wheels are properly driven to feed the requisite amount of wire forward at each step to form a staple for the upper bands and also one for the lower bands.

The wire U is formed into staples for the bottom of the basket, while the wire U is formed into staples for the top of the basket. The wire U passes through a hole u in the nailinghead; The wire U is guided by a tube a and from this tube the wire passes through a hole a into the nailerhead at the top of the basket.

A nailer-head V is suspended by means of a hanger o from a shaft T The sleeve 1; of the hanger is elongated, as shown in Figs. 23 and 24, and it is free to rock on the shaft T It only rocks to a small extent for the, purpose hereinaiter described. The nailer-head V is shaped at its lower end 11 to conform approximately to the shape of the basket and to provide for clearance when the basket is knocked off, and in cross-section it is of the form shown in Fig. 2 At its right and left hand ends the nailer-head is formed with vertical openings V, through which the stapleformers V slide vertically. Each stapleformer is preferably made up of two plates 0 between which are arranged bars 1;, that are bolted to the plates in the manner indicated in Fig. 27. There is a space between the bars 0 in which the drivers reciprocate in the manner hereinafter described. Each staple-former carries a knife or cutter V which is secured in place in the manner indicatedinFig.27. The wire sUU'entertheopenings 1626 3116. project across the'lower end of the staple-formers, as indicated in Figs. 27 and 29. When the staple-formers descend, the cutters V out the wire into staple lengths. Preferably wearing-plates 11 are employed to receive the ends of the wires that are fed into the nailerhead below the staple-formers and theyserve to keep the wires centrally arranged. The staple-formers are connected to an oscillating frame V which at its rear end is connected with sleeves V, free to turn on a shaft V One of the sleeves has an arm V carrying a roller o bearing against a cam 1 on the cam-shaft C. A spring V secured to an arm projecting from this sleeve, moves the frame V in one directionthat is, in the direction to raise the frame V while the cam 1 moves the frame in the opposite direction to form the staples. The connections between the frame V and the staple-formers are loose ones. As indicated in Fig. 27, the arms of the frame rest upon and bear upon spiral springs 0 arranged in sockets in the upper ends of the staple-formers, and these ends of the frame are arranged below arms 1: of brackets, which are secured to the upper ends of the staple-formers. The arrangement is such that the staple-formers are moved downwardly with sufficient force to form the cut wire into staples, but yet not so suddenly as to cause the wire to be cut on the anvils, which latter will be hereinafter described. The arms 1: afford means for lifting the staple-formers. In the lower end of the nailerhead are formed transverse openings '0 in which reciprocate the anvils V These anvils are connected at their outer ends with levers V hinged to brackets v projecting from the hanger v. The levers V are bent at their lower ends and provided with inclined surfaces 11 against which bear the inclined lower ends of vertically-arranged bars V which are connected with the staple-driving mechanism next to be described. It will here be stated, however, that the arrangement is such that the anvils will be in position be neath the staple formers and beneath the wire while thestaple-formers are descending and the cut wire is bent around the anvils; but when the drivers descend to insert the staples into the basket the rods V cause the levers V to swing outward and withdraw the anvils, so that the staples may pass. The rods V are hung loosely and find their proper position by gravity. The levers V are drawn inward, so as to move the anvils into place beneath the staple-formers, by means of springs 12, and when the anvils are moved outward they are moved against the force of these springs. Each d river V consists of a flat wide 7 bar of steel, the uppcrend of whichis pivotally connected with a link 0 connected with the lever V". Between the headed upper end of each driver and staple-former is interposed a block 0 which serves as a stop for the driver, and between the upper end of this block and the headed end of the driver is interposed a spring v which spring forces the formerdown' on the band in advance of the driver. After the staples have been formed the springs e tend to stillfurtherdepress the staple-formers, and thus hold them firmly against the bands. When the drivers are descending, they first tend through the springs 42 to still further depress the staple-formers, so that they are caused to press firmly on the bands. The furthermovement of the drivers inserts the staples. The springs also allow for variations in thickness of material. The levers V are sleeved on the shaft T They are loose thereon and have a limited rocking motion vertically. At their inner ends the levers V are connected with the vertical bars V and with the links r An arm V loose on the shaft T is connected by means of a link V with an arm V fast on the shaft V". The arm V carries two laterally-projecting pins 1 which project beneath the levers V", so that when the arm V is raised the levers V are also raised. The levers V are provided with upward extensions '0", to which are secured springs 12 connected at their opposite ends with a bracket on the main frame. The levers V are thus bell-crank levers, moved in one direction by the springs e and in the opposite direction from the shaft V in the manner before described. It will be observed that the springs v exert the force which moves the drivers inward to drive the staples. Thus a quick sudden movement is given to the d rivers, which drives the staples quickly and positively and yet with a yielding pressure. The parts are all so timed that the proper amount of wire is fed forward at each step, and the staples are formed prior to the descent of the drivers. The drivers force the staples into the basket while the form is moving. If the nailer-head were stationary, it would produce a drag, which would result in the imperfect operation of the nailing mechanism; but, as before described, the nailer-head is swung from the rod T While a staple is being driven into the basket the nailer-he'ad will be moved slightly with the form, being dragged by the staple after it is driven part way into the basket. As 'soon as the stapleis driven home the nailer-head is swung back by a spring secured to the hanger o and to a bracket on theframeofthemachine. (See Fig.1.) The backward movement of the hanger is limited by a stop on the frame, against which the arm i strikes. The mailer-head assumes its normal position in time to permit other stapies to be driven into the basket as it proceeds in its formation. The staples need not be very close together, there preferably being twelve or thirteen staples for the top bands and a similar number for the bottom bands, and in an oblong basket there is considerable space between the staples, which will permit the 

